Second-wave gentrification and quasi-public space in Kebayoran Baru

Abstract

Kebayoran Baru is a sub-district in South Jakarta, hosting one of the largest private business districts in Indonesia. Originally planned and built as a satellite city of Jakarta in the 1950s, it is now one of the most expensive areas in the country. In the last ten years, there has been a rapid transformation within the area due to the land use change from what is predominantly residential to commercial; cafes and restaurants in almost every street. The rapid growth of these commercial and exclusive “public space” or quasi-public space in the form of cafes and restaurants is one of the signs of gentrification. Consumer class life-style changes the condition of the gentrified neighborhood and contributes to the increase of the land value, making it unaffordable for the residents and causing them to seek housing areas with lower cost. This is similar to what has been happening in Kebayoran Baru. However, the area has always been a relatively middle-class neighborhood from the beginning. This indicates that what is currently happening in Kebayoran Baru is actually a second-wave gentrification. Through archival studies and interview with local residents, this research aims to understand the spatial transformation and its relation to social production of public space that considers democracy.